The ritual surrounding Advent wreaths is simple—light a candle and read from Scripture on each of the four Sundays before Christmas.

An Advent wreath isn’t a “wreath” in the regular sense of the word, but a round tabletop candleholder with four places for candles, or simply a wreath-shaped tray like the one pictured above.

The circular shape of the candle holder reminds us the Christmas season is only one point along the way in the cycle of days we inhabit in the church year. By marking the four Sundays of Advent with the weekly candles, we stretch out the anticipation and provide ourselves the needed space to slow down.

You can access the FREE printed weekly reading cards HERE. Simply download, print on cardstock, cut out and keep near your Advent wreath this season.